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Glendurgan Garden Cornwall National Trust

Over half term the boys and I visited Cornwall staying at Glynn Barton Cottages. During our holiday we decided to visit Falmouth and National Trust Glendurgan Garden Cornwall. One of several National Trust gardens in Cornwall it is somewhere which has been on my bucket list for a while, ever since I saw the cherry laurel maze on the front of a magazine. The question is did it live up to expectations?

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Where is Glendurgan Garden

Located a few miles from Falmouth in the village of Mawnan Smith. Which makes it an ideal day trip away from the coast. If you are driving then you will be pleased to know that there is a large car with ample parking. This is not a free car park, if you are a member then you can scan your membership card to park for free. Alternatively, it costs £2 for two hours or £4 for all-day parking.

If you are staying in Falmouth and fancy a walk along the coast then you can take the Southwest coastal footpath from Falmouth. Starting at the seafront at Gyllyngvase beach to Durgan village. You can enter the bottom of the National Trust garden from the hamlet of Durgan. Gyllyngvase beach is also great for rock pooling which we discovered a couple of years ago.

How much does it cost?

As we are National Trust members we get free entry. If not National Trust Glendurgan costs £12.10 for an adult and £6.10 for a child.

At the entrance, we picked up a map of the gardens. There were also free walking sticks that could be borrowed. Of course, Charlie thought this was great. It is because there are three valleys of Glendurgan and so they are intended to help you navigate the pathways and the steepness. As you enter there are several different information boards which tell you about the gardens and their history.

They also had some willow crowns which the children picked up to decorate as we walked around the superb subtropical garden.

The History of Glendurgan Garden

Starting life as the private gardens of Alfred Fox it was laid out by him in the 1820s and 1830s. The Fox family owned the garden until 1962 when it was gifted to the National Trust. Philip Fox, the son of Alfred Fox, continued to develop the garden after his father’s death. He added many new plants and features, including the famous cherry laurel maze. Cuthbert, another member of the Fox family, was responsible for many of the garden’s fascinating plants. He travelled the world collecting rare and unusual plants to add to the collection at Glendurgan.

The Maze at Glendurgan Garden

One of the most famous features of Glendurgan Garden is the 19th century Glendurgan Maze. The historic maze is the reason I have wanted to visit this National Trust property. Although the main house is still privately owned. The maze is a cherry laurel hedge maze that covers three acres and is one of the only surviving laurel mazes in the country. It is big totalling around three-quarters of a mile from start to finish and it is hard to miss its central location in the subtropical gardens.

When we visited we headed straight to the maze and the boys could not help themselves heading straight in and following the pathways between the rounded hedges. The idea is that you can reach the centre of the maze and then take the short route out. With lots of dead ends and swirly patterns, it took us quite a while to find the centre. It was a lot of fun and the boys loved it. Charlie was most impressed since he beat us all to the centre. Which is under a small white thatched hut. With palm trees planted at certain points, it is very pretty.

As well as enjoying the maze you can walk up to the lookout point which gives you an ariel view of the maze. Not that it really made the solution any clearer.

Things to do at Glendurgan Garden

Glendurgan Garden is situated in three valleys, each of which has its own unique charm and natural beauty. The lower valley is jungle-like, and it is home to giant rhubarb plants, tree ferns and other foreign flowers and amazing plants. The middle valley is home to a variety of native trees, including oak and beech trees along with native plants. The upper valley is sunny and arid, and it is home to spiky arid plants and succulents.

There is something all year round with its winding paths, the Camellia Walk is a must-visit spot in the garden, as it is home to a stunning collection of camellias. The Holy Bank is another popular spot, where you can see bluebells, wild flowers, magnolia, and rhododendrons. In the Autumn the garden is also known for its stunning colours. With plenty of outdoor seating, you can sit and enjoy this small piece of heaven.

The beach

Glendurgan Garden Cornwall also has a walk that leads down to the Helford Village. The walk is stunning, and it takes visitors through the woods and past beautiful views of the river Helford. The river is home to a variety of wildlife, including otters and seals, which can sometimes be seen swimming in the river. Although we did not see any of these we did enjoy getting an ice cream from the information centre, with a fine view of the Helford River and the Helford Estuary. An ideal place to practice the boys tried to skim stones on Durgan beach. When we visited the sheltered beach was part sand and part pebble with some rocks to sit on.

There are several other points of interest which are highlighted on the map. Including a gigantic tulip-tree which must be stunning when in bloom. Also with the old school room and rotating rope swing for the children. It is also known as the Giant’s Stride it was originally built in the 1930s and it is a lot of fun.

How long do you need?

As we had plans to go and do some crabbing in Falmouth we only stayed for a couple of hours making a stop en route. But you could easily stay at National Trust Glendurgan for a lot longer. As there are several nature trails for the children to enjoy. Harry had a great time looking for leaves to add to his willow crown. We also didn’t get a chance to see the olive grove, beehives or the cherry orchard. Or the Judas tree, tree of heaven and tree of thorns all with their religious connotations in the Holy Corner. I would allow at least half a day if you are building a Cornwall itinerary.

Amenities at Glendurgan Garden

As well as the thematic gardens there is a National Trust second-hand book shop to browse which is by the entrance. As you exit you will pass the tea house that offers a selection of hot drinks, cakes and light lunches. I was surprised that there was no gift shop but this could be in part because the gardens operate from February to October only.

If you collect the National Trust Passport stamps then you can pick one of these up in the bookshop.

Have you visited Glendurgan Garden in Cornwall? Please let me know about your experiences in the comments below.